Driving Courses

Ever wanted to put yourself in the driver’s seat of a British-built diesel-electric locomotive with over a thousand horsepower at your disposal?

Well you can!

We have noticed the huge smile is a typical reaction from everyone who has undertaken one of our memorable driver experience courses on the superb Llangollen Railway!

Our diverse range of traction can be hired from anything to a single round trip to a whole day’s driving.

Locomotives on offer are Class 26 D5310 and Class 37 6940. 08 shunter 08195 is also available on request for bespoke freight and shunting experiences if you fancy trying out your 00 layout activities for real!

These days tend to fill up fast so your are advised to get your booking in as early as possible if you require a specific loco or any other arrangements. Dates available and bookings are available through the commercial office based at Llangollen station. Telephone 01978 860979 or visit the LR website driver experience page by clicking here.

The cab of D5310; a great place to see the Dee Valley from!

You can choose from a light engine movement, passenger or even goods workings. If you fancy something a little different, we can even make a shunting locomotive available to potter about with a few wagons.

The loud handle of 37240. Pull this to unleash 1,750hp of twin turbo charged, intercooled English Electric diesel power to generate a healthy 2 or 3 thousand Amps of current!

All experience levels are welcome and our drivers are friendly and patient. We have customers who have never been in a cab in their life, right through to those who fancy a busman’s holiday and drive trains for a living. The photo below shows Pam Gamble, who drove 6940 along with her partner Andy on May 25th 2013. Both Pam and Andy are Merseyrail drivers, but found driving 6940 a distinct challenge as they are more familiar with Class 507 and 508 EMUs with air brakes and not the more agricultural controls of 6940 and 4 vacuum braked Mk1s!

A Llangollen Railway diesel drivers experience makes for a memorable gift and you can be assured you won’t forget it in a hurry. The railway runs through wonderful scenery and features some steep gradients and other engaging operational challenges.

To whet your appetite, have a look at the below videos showing 37240 and D1566 at work on Berwyn Bank. These videos do not do the sound of the exhaust credit, particularly when travelling through the single bore Berwyn tunnel.

Pricing and availability are subject to the requirements of each course but the price for a single return trip with a rake of stock starts at £350 for 2011. Please note this includes £15 miles of driving without sharing the locomotive with other participants unless you wish to attend as a group with friends or family.

Courses should be booked through the commercial office based at Llangollen station. Telephone 01978 860979 or visit the LR website driver experience page by clicking here.